TNAG-0045-FCO40-81-Britain-s-entry-into-EEC-effect-on-trade-with-Hong-Kong-1967 — Page 103

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countries in Africa and the Caribbean who so wished.

At the

time, the Six were negotiating with the independent countries

among their existing associates a new Convention of Association

(which became the Yaoundé Convention). Neither we nor any of the

independent Commonwealth countries concerned took any part in

these negotiations, but it was agreed between the Community and

ourselves that the economic and commercial content of association

for those Commonwealth countries which became associated with the

enlarged Community would not be less favourable than that enjoyed

by the existing Associates. It was also agreed that for

dependent territories, the conditions of association would be the

same as for independent Associates except that they would not be

directly represented in the institutions of the Association. 6 For

those independent Commonwealth countries which declined the offer of Association under Part IV of the Treaty of Rome, it was agreed:-

NP

(1) that the opportunity to associate with the Community

would remain open;

(ii)

that the enlarged Community would declare its readiness

to negotiate commercial agreements with any of these countries wishing to do so;

(iii)

that there would be a very gradual application of the c.e.t. to all exports from these countries;

1776.

(iv)

that the c.e.t. on tropical hardwoods, which are of major interest to Ghana and Nigeria, would be reduced

to zero, and

(v) that it would be the policy of the enlarged Communi ty

to work towards Commodity stabilization agreements

+

where practicable in the commodities produced by the se

countries.

In 1964, the Yaoundé Convention, setting out the terms of Association between the Community and the independent African

Associates for the next five years, came into force. Simultaneously,

parallel arrangements for the dependent Associates came into force

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